BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — Belmont County Commissioners have not yet commented on the grassroots push by Ohioans to eliminate property taxes, but one Mahoning County Commissioner is warning that Ohio’s sales tax would need to more than double to replace the property tax revenue currently used to fund schools.
River News reached out to all three Belmont County Commissioners and other local elected officials in July to ask their stance on the effort led by Ax OH Tax, which aims to place a property tax repeal amendment on the ballot.
None of the commissioners responded to the survey. In early August, Belmont County Commission President J.P. Dutton told River News that the commissioners were not issuing individual statements and would consider guidance from the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO). As of Wednesday, Sept. 10, the commissioners have not offered further comments on the property tax repeal issue.
However, other Ohio commissioners have weighed in on the property tax issue. Mahoning County Commissioner Geno DiFabio stated on Monday via social media that the state’s current tax structure could not support a full repeal of property taxes without a significant increase in other taxes, according to WFMJ.
DiFabio noted that Ohio’s property tax system generates roughly $15 billion annually for schools, while the state’s portion of the sales tax, currently 5.75%, yields about $14 billion a year. Covering the existing school funding entirely through sales tax would require a substantial increase.
Local sales tax rates vary by county. As of 2025, Belmont County’s combined sales tax rate is 7.25% (5.75% state + 1.50% county), while Mahoning County’s rate is 7.5%.
In July, Governor Mike DeWine established a Property Tax Reform Working Group to explore potential solutions. The group is expected to issue a report with proposals by September 30.
DiFabio suggested that strategies such as consolidating services and regionalizing government operations could help reduce the financial burden while keeping taxes manageable. He warned on Facebook that without a state plan, a property tax repeal could lead to townships ceasing operations and cuts to essential local services.
River News is hosting local petition signing stations for the campaign, which is led by Ax Ohio Tax: https://axohtax.com.
Follow River News online and on Facebook for updates on the push to eliminate Ohio’s property tax.
